Water meter pit using a buoy to assist in RF communication

• US 10,697,814 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2019
• Issued: 06/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2019
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yoram Kenig
• Original Assignee: Yoram Kenig
• Inventors: Kenig, Yoram
• Primary Examiner(s): Yang, James J
• Application Number:
  US16/242,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20200217705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0038 using buoyant probes with floats G01F23/30 - G01F23/76
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A wireless pit meter (WPM) transmitter unit comprises a complete wireless system for reading and transmitting water meter data, wherein the water meter may be submersed in water. In order to lower installation costs and to improve system reliability, a buoy transmitter is used within a water meter vault such that varying levels of water do not degrade radio signal propagation. A wire may be attached to a submerged water meter sending data to a disclosed buoy. The buoy has an antenna to transmit data to the underside of a pit lid repeater PLR, the PLR having an underside within the water meter pit and a top side reaching the outside of the water pit lid. The top side of the PLR comprises a spiral antenna capable of transmitting or repeating the water meter data to a distant receiver with the receiver in communication with a billing system.

Claims

1. A remote access water meter system comprising:

a) a water meter disposed in a water meter vault with the water meter in electronic communication with a wire and with the wire in electronic communication with a buoy, the buoy equipped with an antenna with the antenna in wireless communication with an inferior end of a pit lid repeater, with the inferior end of the pit lid repeater disposed within the water meter vault;

b) the pit lid repeater having a superior end disposed outside the water meter vault on a superior side of a water meter lid of the water meter vault; and

c) a spiral antenna of the pit lid repeater in wireless communication with a remote receiver.